Heater grate



24, G. SORGE-SGN 1,794Q056 HEATER @RATE Filed Nov. l, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l TT'H/VEYS G. BORG ESONV HEATER GRATE Feb. 24, 1931.

Filed Nov.` l, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 /VVENT/x? ATTORNEYS;

W'lT/vEs s G, BORGESON Feb. 24, 1931.

HEATER GRATE l, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed NOV.

G. BORGESON 1,794,056

HEATER GRATE Feb. 24, 1931.

Filed Nov. l, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /NyE/v TD A? f .Q7/Wm Patented Feb. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GUSTAV BORGESON, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR F ONE-HALF T0 ANELLA. L. RIDGELY, 0F SYRACUSE, NEW YORK HEATER GRATE Application filed November 1, 1928. Serial No. 316,422.

This invention relates to a fuel grate for hot air, hot water or steamheaters and is adapted to be installed in the combustion chambers of old or new heaters without ma- 6 terial alteration thereof other than the possible replacement of the conventional type of grate most commonly employed.

The main object of my improved grate is to permit the eiicient and economical use of various grades of coal and particularly the finer and less expensive grades of either bitu- .minous or anthracite coal as well as the inferior grades of both classes in such manner that the inflammable products of the fuel may be distilled out of the residue and entirely consumed thereby assuring a. maximum consumption of the inflammable-products and incidentally reducing to a minimum the smoke content escaping through the chimney or stack, the net result being a far greater economy in the use of the fuel and elimination of the smoke nuisance.

One of the specific objects is to use relatively narrow upright grate bars in the formation ofthe side walls of the fuel basket so that the size of the basket may be readily increased or diminished as ma be required for combustion chambers of di erent sizes by simply increasing or decreasing the number of upright grate bars and permitting them to be assembled edge to edge to conform to different formsof combustion chambers such as circular, elliptical or rectangular.

Another object is to provide the meeting edges of the upright grate bars with interlocking connections arranged so that they' may be interlocked `with each other b relative vertical sliding movement of a jacent bars or sections.

A further object is to standardize the form and size of the bar-sections so that each may be cast inoneand the same mold.

Another object is to provide means for supporting a relatively small number of the upright grate bars upon an underlying support and to provide the meeting edges of all of the "bars with means whereby the remaining bars will be supported by each other in dependently of the underlying` support.

Another object is to provide the basket with separate bottom sections relatively rotatable in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis and to provide said sections with radial perforated segments or sectors in uniformly spaced relation circumferentially and of approximately uniform area so that the sectors may be moved rotarily into and out of registration with the segments of the other sec tion and also into and out of registration with the spaces between the segments of said other section to permit shaking of the rotary grate section without dumping and also to permit dumping of the fuel or residue from the grate sections when desired. j

Another object is to provide a more convenient means for assembling and supporting the entire grate than has heretofore been practised in the use of grates of this type.

Other objects and uses relating to specific parts of the grate as a unitary article of manufacture will be brought out in the following description.

In the drawings v Figure 1 is a top plan view of a fuel grate embodying the various features of my inven tion but omitting the operating means for shaking and dumping the rotatable grate section.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken in the plane of line 2 2, Figure 1.

Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are horizontal sectional views taken respectively in the planes of lines 3 3, Ll-fl, 5 5 and 6 6, Figure 2.

Figures 7 8 and 9 are enlarged detail horizontal sectional views taken respectively in the planes of lines 7 7, 8 8 and 9 9, Figure 2.

Figure 10 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view taken in the plane of line l0 10, Figure 2. v

Figure 11 is an enlarged detail vertical sec-- tional view taken in the plane of line 11 11, Figure 5.

Figure 12 is a detail sectional view taken in the plane of line 12-12, Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a detail sectional view taken in the plane of line 13 13, Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a detail sectional view of ad* jacent upright basket sections showing the manner of supporting said sections one upon Bti i the other, portions of the sections being shown in section. l

Asr illustrated, this grate unit comprises a pair of tubular supporting 'bars -1- arranged kin a horizontal plane and in parallel spaced yrelation at opposite sides of and^e-qual7 distances from the vertical axis of the grate and adapted to be supported at the ends in suitable bearings, not shown, on the interior of an ash box or equivalent part of the heater ,"below the combustion chamber, said bars bei ning Lpreferably of uniform length and arranged to extendvforwardly and rearwardly i relatively to the front side of the heater.

y. Each .bar -1- carries a pair of collars slidably adjustable thereon to properly i f position them for receiving and supporting v asuperstructure' `presently described but .Whenl properly adjusted will be disposed in vertical axis of the grate and uniform disvertical planes at the front and rear of the tances from said axis, as shown more clearly I inFigu re 5. j The collars of each pair are provided with .upwardly projectingbosses k-2- extend- 'ing across the adjacent portions of the bar Y' i at angles of approximately forty-five degrees thereto-and in planes which converge toward ,the axisofl the grate at an angle of approxi- `mately, ninety degrees to each other, said 'f'bfosses being provided with grooves -2-.

[saddles for lreceiving and supporting a coryintheirupper sides at the same angle to the Vl'corresponding bar and to leach other.

These collars -2 and their channeled vbosses -2 constitute what may be termed l responding number of arms -3-- which are I i f seated in the grooves 2- to extend inwardly therefrom radial to the' axis of the grate and are integrally united at their inner ends to a tubular hub -4- which is coaxial with said axis and together with the arms -3- constitute what may be termed a spider for supporting an additional superstructure, as shown .in Figure 5. v

The arms -3- are preferably T-shaped in cross section and extend from the base-of the grooves -2 some distance -above the upffso per faces of the bosses -2- for receiving and supporting a superposed relatlvely sta-1 tionary lower grate section 6 having a central hollow hub -7- and a plurality of,l

- ,in this instance four, radially projecting of each plate or sector being relatively greatv(iti er than the area of the intervening space as y The outer marginal edges of the plates or sectors ,8-5- are mainly concentric with the axis ofthe hub -7- Iand equal distances therefrom and'extend through arcs of slightly more than forty-five degrees while the' angle of the spaces -8- between the sectors is slightly less than forty-five degrees, the objectsof which is to permit similar sectors of an overlying upper grate section -`9- to cover said spaces when adjusted to one position and to substantially register with the sectors -8- when adjusted to another position as will be hereinafter more fully described, see Fi vre 3..

The hub -7-- of the lowergrate section -6 is seated over and upon the upwardly projecting hub -4- and is adapted to rest upon the upper surfaces of the arms 3-, as shown in Figure 2, with the upper surface of the sectors -8- in nearly the same horizontal plane as the upper end of the hub -4-.

The intermediate portions of the sectors -8- are provided with downwardly projecting lianges -l0 equal distances from the axis of the hub -7- and adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the arms -3-3 the lower ends of said flanges being grooved to receive .the T-shaped head of the arms -3- so that the opposite edges of each flange may be provided with extensions -10- enf' gaging opposite sides of the upper portions of the arms -3- for holding the lower grate section -6- against rotary movement while permitting it to be readily placed from the top downwardly in operative position on the spider or removed vertically therefrom.

The outer ends of the' plates or sectors --8- are provided with central circumferentially elongated slots -l1-, Figures 3 and` 4, for receiving the lower ends of certain grate bars of the fuel basket hereinafter described and holding those bars in operative position, see Figure 2. y ,v

The upper grate section --9-- comprises a hollow hub -12- anda series of radially projecting plates or sectors -13- somewhat similar to the plates or sectors--S- of the lower grate section -6- in that they are arranged in uniformly spaced relation circumferentially in a plane just above the upper surface o f the lower grate section +6-, Figure 2, so as to overhang the upper end` of the hub -4-.

f The upper end of the hub #-4- is provided with a ball race for receiving a circular series of anti-friction balls 14- upon which the overlying portion'of the upper grate section -9- is adapted to `rest for relative rotary movement with a minimum friction, the central portion of the upper grate section --9- being provided with an annular flange -9---V surrounding 4the circular series of balls --llto reduce the liability of accumulations of ashes in or upon the ball bearings, Figure 2. f

The plates or sectors -13-- are somewhat edges divergent outwardly from the hub 12- and their outer marginal edges concentric with the axis of the hub as shown in Figures 1 and 3.

The outer ends of the plates or sectors -13- are, therefore, of greater circumferential width than the intervening spaces and each extends through an are slightly greater than forty-tive degrees while the angle of the space between the sectors is slightly less than forty-five degrees.

The upper grate section -9- is capable of oscillation about a verticalaxis for shaking the ashes from the superposed basket and also for dumping the fuel when required but normally the plates or sectors -13- will be disposed directly over the yspace -8- between the sectors -8- of the underlying bottom grate section and inasmuch as they are somewhat wider circumferentially than said space it is evident that the lower grate section 9 may be adjusted angularly limited distances in opposite directions without uncovering the V underlying spaces.

It is equally evident, however, that when it is desired to dump the fuel from the grates the grate section 9 may be adjusted to bring its plates or sections *13* into regn istration with the sectors -8- of the under lying grate section -6- thereby registering the openings between the sectors -13- with the openings -8- between the sectors 8f and allowing the fuel to fall through the registering openings.

The sectors -8- are each perforated preferably by a series of lengthwise slots -8 while the sectors -13- of the upper grate section -9- are perforated by a series of similar slots -13- to allow the finer ashes to sift therethrough, particularly during the shaking operation.

A. bottom cap section -15, Figures 1 and 2, is seated upon the upper face lof the upper grate section -9- coaxial therewith and is provided with a relatively short central hub -16- extending into the upper end of the hub l2- and provided with a peripheral key` -16- Figure 3, engaging in a corresponding key-way ,-9 --i n the hub l2- low the ashes to pass therefrom onto the underlying sectors 13 and -8, the central portion of the .cap section -15- being also perforated as shown in Figures 1 and2 into the interior of the basket presently described.

Any suitable means may be provided for oscillating the upper grate section -9- and cap section l5- about a vertical axis for shaking the ashes therefrom and for dumping purposes and, as illustrated, the hub -12*, which is mainly cylindrical and journaled in the hub -4., extends downwardly below the hub 4- and has its lower end below said hub square or angular in cross section for receiving one end of a crank arm -17- which is held against downward displacement by a pin 18-, Figure 2.

The outer end of the crank arm -17- is connected to the rear end of a link -19- which extends forwardly through an opening 20-in the wall of the ash.box-A, 'Figure 11, and has its front end provided with a block -21- some distance beyond the front side of the ash box.

A bracket -22-`- is bolted or otherwise secured to the front Side of the ash box for rei.

being pivoted at -23- to the bracket to perf.

mit the forward and rearward swinging movement thereof.

The intermediate portion of the lever -23- is connected by a link -24- to the wblock -21- so that the forward and rearward movement of the lever will be transmitted to the link -19- and thence to the crank arm -17- for .shaking the bottom grate section about its axis, Figure 11.

Suitable means is provided to prevent the shifting of the lever 23- andl upper grate section -9- operated thereby to their dumping positions and for this purpose a stop dog -25- is pivoted at -25 to the bracket 22- to swing to and from a position across lthe front edge of the lever -23- so that when the stop dog is in its operative position it will prevent the forward movement of the lever to its dumping position as shown in Figures 5, l1, 12 and 13 or when the dog is moved to its inoperative position as shown by dotted lines in Figure 12 the forward movement of the grate bar may be continued to the position shown by the dotted lines at the extreme right hand of Figure 11 for moving the upper grate section 9 to its dumping position.

The bracket -22- is also provided with a relatively fixed stop shoulder 28 in the path of movement ofthe lever 23- for the purpose of limiting the movement of said lever beyond its dumping position when the lstop dog -25- is thrown out of the path of movement of said lever.

and comprises a multiplicity of narrow vupright grate bars -31- and -31- of similar construction so that they may be cast-in one and the same 'mold except that certain pairs of the grate bars having the meeting edges registering with the slots -1lin the perforated plates of the lower grate section -6- are providedwith outwardly ofi'- set and downwardly extending lugs -32- which are seated in the adjacent slots l1- to hold the corresponding bars against radial displacement relatively to the lower section -6I-, vsaid lugs being provided with shoulders 33k normally resting upon the upper faces of the adjacent portions of the perforated plates, as shown more clearly in Figures 2, 3 and 9.

The remaining upright grate bars -31- are supported by interlocking connections with the four pairs of grate bars -31-, and by similar interlocking connections with each other .in such manner that they may be assembled one upon the other in sequence circumfereptially from a given point in the4 periphery 1n a manner presently described,

' The basket -30- is adapted to be sup ported in a horizontal plane within the combustion chamber of the heater between the upper face ofthe upper grate section 9- and lower wall of the fuel inlet opening of said heater so that the lower ends of the bars -131- and 31 will be disposed in a plane slightly above the upper grate section 9 to enable the latter to be oscillated for shaking or dumping purposes without interfere ence with the upright grate bars of the basket.

The maj or portions of the grate bars 3l-.- and -31- from the bottom upward are substantially vertical and parallel so that the corresponding portion of the basket will be substantially cylindrical but the upper. ends -31- of said bars. are deflected outwardly in planes inclined to the vertical and are gradually widened from the vertical portions to their upper edges to compensate for the increased. diameter of the basket as shown ,more clearly in Figure 2.

That is, the diameter of the upwardly flaring upper end of the basket corresponds more,

or less closely to the'inner. diameter of the combustion chamber in which the entire grate as a unit is installed so that the up- Nright cylindrical portions of the basket will be in sp'aced relation to the walls of the combustion chamber to permit the free circulation of air from the ash pit upwardly through the perforations in the bars -31- and r31- at different levels and thereby to better. support the combustion of the fuel within the basket. j

In order to establish the interlocking connection between the meeting edges of the up.-

`right grate bars -31- andv .31-v correflanges 40- while the opposite edges are .provided with ribs' M11-e in correspondingly spaced relation vertically and adapted to be engaged by the adjacent hooks for holding the bars against circumferential displacement and also assisting in holdingthe v bars against ment. i v

As previously stated the bars --SL- having the downwardly projected bosses +32- are supported directly upon the lower grate section 6.- while the remaining lupright bars -31- are supported by the bars -i-31- and for this purpose corresponding edges of inward or outwardjdisplacethe bars are provided with L'shaped projections 42- while their opposite edges are I provided with'lugs -43- adapted to Yrest upon the bottoms of the projections +42- v when the bars '-31-4 andl -31- are assembled.

The L-shaped projections horizontal planes between and in vertically spaced relation to the hooks -40- and .ribs

just under the lower edges of the lugs -43- as shown more clearly in Figures 2, 8 and 14.

v-42-. and lugs -43 are disposed in substantially the same The hook-shaped projections .-40- are adapted to engage their respective ribs -4l by relative vertical sliding movement of adjacent bars one upon the'other andin like manner the lugs A3- are adapted'to engage their respective L-shaped lugs 442-- by a relative vertical sliding movement of adjacent bars oneupon the other until limf ited by the engagement of the lugs -43- with the bottom of the lugs 42- as shownV more clearly in Figures 2 and 8. y

The most convenient manner of assembling these grate bars to form the basket ,-30,- isE to first place the bars 3lin operative poj sition with their pendant lugs 32- seatedl in the slots '11- onthe underl-yin bottom grate section `--6A andv their hoo -shaped -lugs 40- in engagement with the correlsponding ribs -41- on adjacent edges of 1 said bars, as shown in Figure 9.

cessively interlocked with the adjacent bars `31 and with each other by downward sliding movement thereofrelatively tothe bars previously-installed thereby bringing. the hook-shaped ymembers -40- into interlocking engagement with' their respective ribs 4l-'- and at the same time'y bringing the lugs ,43- into engagementl with thevv bottoms of the L-shaped lugs which lao y tially the same horizontal plane to form the basket as shown in Figure 2.

Assembly One of the important advantages of the construction described is that the various parts may be easily and quickly installedin the combustion chamber and ash box of a heater by simply removing the grate commonly used and providing the ash box with suitable supports for the ends of the main tubular supporting bars 1 with their collars 2 thereon.

That is, the bars 1 are first installed and properly secured in operative position in parallel relation and in the same horizont'al plane andpreferably extend forwardly and rearwardly of the ash box.

The spider section comprising the hub 4 and arms 3 is then placed in operative position in the saddles 2 which are adjustable along and upon the supporting bars 1 to properly position them for receiving the arms 3 as shown in Figure 5.

The lower grate section 6 is then placed upon theupper end of the hub 4- so that its downwardly projecting flanges 10 and lower end of the hub 7' may rest upon g., the upper face of the spider section.

The upper bottom grate section 9 is then placed in operative position with its hub 12 extending downwardly through the hub 4 and its central portion resting lupon the ball bearings I4- after which the cap section l5-may be placed in operative position with its hub 16- seated in the upper end of the hub 12 and its outer marginal edges resting upon the perforated sectors 13 .when necessary or desirable. f

After the parts have Abeen assembled in the manner described the crank arm 17- may be placedl from the underside upwardly on the square lower'end of the hub 12 and held in operative position by the insertion of the key 18 The link 19 is then connected to the outer end of the crank arm 17 and to the block 21- on the outer end of the link 2/.1ras shown in Figures 11 to 13 inclusive thus connecting the hub l2 of the oscillatory upper grate section 9 to the shaking-and dumping lever 23 When' the stop dog 25- is in operative position in the path of outward movement of v Y. When it is desired to dump the grate the stop dog 25 may begrocked from its operative position shown by full lines in Figure l2 to the position shown by dotted lines in the same figure thus permitting the lever 23 to be rocked forwardly a greater distance until limited by the stop 28 this increased movement serving to shift the upper grate section 9 until its perforated sectors 13- are registered with the perforated sectors 8 of the lower grate bottom section 6- thereby establishing in this instance four relatively large openings between said perforated sectors through which the ashes and other solid contents formerly contained in the basket are entirely discharged from said basket into the underlying ash pit.

That I claim is:

l. In a heater grate, a substantially flat and horizontal grate section having radially projecting perforated sectors in uniformly spaced relation circumferentially at its periphery and a basket composed of relatively narrow upright perforated bars arranged edge to edge circumferentially around the axis of and positioned above said grate section, some of the bars being supported upon said section and provided with means supporting the next adjacent bars out of engagement with said section.

2. In a heater grate, lower and upper coaxial grate sections, the upper section being capable of oscillation about a vertical axis relatively to'the lower section, each grate section being provided with radially projecting` perforated sectors arranged in uniformly spaced relation circumferentially at their peripheries, the sectors of the upper section being movable into and out of registration with the spaces between the sectors of the lower section, and a fuel receiving basket mounted upon the lower section beyond the periphery of the upper section.

3. In a heater grate of the character described, a pair of horizontal supporting bars arranged in parallel spaced relation and each provided with a pair of saddles adjustable thereon, a grate-supporting frame having radially projecting arms seated in said saddles, lower and upper grate sections supported on the grate-supporting frame coaxial therewith, said upper section being capable of oscillation about a vertical axis, each grate section, bein provided with radially extending per orated sectors in uniformly spaced relation circumferentially and of greater surface area than the spaces between them, the sectors of the upper section being movable into and out of registration with the-v spaces between the sectors of the lower sectio'l.--Y

' 4. In a heater grate .of the character described, a pair of horizontal supporting bars arranged in parallel spaced relation and each provided with a -pair of saddles adjustable thereon, a grate-supporting frame having radially projecting arms'seated in'said saddles, lower and upper grate sections supported on the grate-supporting' frame coaxial therewith, said upper section being capable of oscillation about a vertical axis, eachgrate section being provided with radially extending perforated sectors in uniformly spaced relation circumferentially andof greater surface area/than the spacesbetween them, the sectors of the upper section being movable into and out of registration with the spaces between the sectors of the lower section, and a basket supported on the lower section coaxial therewith and provided with vertical openings therethrough.

5. In a heater grate of the character described, a pair of horizontal supporting bars arranged in parallel spaced relation and each provided with a pair of saddles-adjustable thereon, a grate-supporting frame having radially projecting arms seated in said saddles, lower and upper grate sections supported on the grate-supporting frame coaxial therewith, said upper section being capable of oscillation about a vertical axis, each grate section being provided with radially extending perforated sectors in uniformly spaced relation circumferentially and of greater surface areathan the spaces between them, the sectors of the upper section being movable into and out of registration with the spaces between the sectors of the lower section, and means for oscillating the upper grate section.

6. In a heater grate of the character described, a pair of horizontal supporting bars arranged in parallel spaced relation and each provided with a pair of saddles adjustable v thereon, a 'grate-supporting frame having radially projecting arms seated :in said saddles, lower and upper grate sections supcreased angular movement of the upper grate section for dumping purposes. j 7. In a heater grate, a pair of frame-supporting barsv arranged in parallel spaced relation, a grate-supporting frame having arms extendingdiagonally across said bars, saddle members movable along and upon said bars and provided with seats for receiving and supporting said arms, and a grate supported upon said frame'.` I

8. In a heater grate, a horizontal gratesection and a basket composed of relatively narrow upright bars arranged edge to edge circumferentially about a vertical axis, some of said bars being supported upon the grate section and provided with means for supporting the adjacent bars out of engagement with the grate section.

9. In a heater grate, frame-supporting bars adapted to be mounted upon and within the base of the heater, a frame extending across said bars and provided with supporting members adjustable relatively thereto and upon said members for supporting the frame, and a grate mounted upon said frame.

11. In a heater grate, a grate-supporting frame having a central tubular hub and arms radiating outwardly therefrom, and a grate supported on the frame and provided with lugsinterlocked with said arms to hold the grate and frame against relative circumferential movement.

12.' In a heater grate, apair of bars supported within and upon the base of the heater in parallel spaced rel tion, a frame extending across said bars and -provided with radially adjustable feet resting upon the bars and a grate supported upon the frame.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of October, 41928.

GSTAV BORGESON ported on the grate-supporting frame coaxial Y therewith, said upper section bei g capable of oscillation about a vertical axi each grate section being provided with radially extending perforated sectors in uniformly spaced relation circumferentially and of greater surface area than the spaces-between them, the sectors of the upper section being movable into and out of registration with the spaces between the sectors of the lower section,means for oscillating the upper section, a stop for limiting the movement of said oscillating means and thereby limiting the angle of oscillation of the grate section, said stop being movable from its opera-tive position to an inoperative position topermit a further movement of the adjusting means and resultant in- 

